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Support the 23rd annual Fairtrade Fortnight

27 February 2017

The 23rd Fairtrade Fortnight in the UK runs from 27 February-12 March, highlighting the need to look after the food we love and the people who grow it.

The Fairtrade Foundation exists to obtain better prices and terms for farmers and workers across the globe, underlining the fact that unfair trade impacts on real lives. This year Fairtrade are asking people to get together for a 'Fairtrade Break' - so look out for Fairtrade Fortnight events across the five Derbyshire Dales towns of Ashbourne, Bakewell, Darley Dale, Matlock and Wirksworth (see list below).

Your District Council pledged back in 2003 to promote awareness to its employees and citizens as well as serving Fairtrade products at its meetings and functions.

In more recent times we have committed to supporting the five Derbyshire Dales towns - all of which already have Fairtrade Town status - with the aim of working collectively with the town groups towards the district of the Derbyshire Dales District gaining District Fair Trade status.

Projects are ongoing to demonstrate fulfilment of the necessary goals, including support from local places of worship, schools, accommodation providers, shops, retail outlets, cafes, work places and also through media engagement.

District Council staff and councillors are once again being invited to participate in Fairtrade Fortnight, and Derbyshire Dales Fairtrade representative Councillor Irene Ratcliffe said:

"Our towns continue to come up with terrific ideas to highlight the big message, which is to encourage more people to buy Fairtrade products.

"We all have a role to play in looking after the food we love and the people who grow it. Farmers in developing countries desperately need our support and, as a group, we urge people to buy products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark.”

Ashbourne's Fairtrade group will be giving away Fairtrade recipe cards and samples of cookies in the town on Saturday 11 March, while Bakewell is linking its Fairtrade Fortnight efforts to Bakewell Infant School. A competition is being held for pupils to collect as many Fairtrade logos as possible from products purchased. At the end of the two weeks pupils’ efforts will be counted and the winner in each class will receive a prize.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Steve Edwards said:

“Bakewell Town Council has been backing Fairtrade since 2008. We feel that by involving the Infant School, not only does this help develop the message for the pupils, but involves the parents, relatives and friends when they go shopping. We anticipate the enthusiastic pupils actively hunting for the logos in all participating retail outlets they visit."

In Matlock too, much of Fairtrade Fortnight is focussed on schools. Lessons have already takewn place at Castleview Primary and Tansley Primary to familiarise pupils with the idea of Fairtrade, and the messages will be hammered home during a baking class using Fairtrade ingredients at Tansley Primary and a 'Big Brew' event. There will also be Fairtrade assemblies at St Joseph's Primary and St Giles Primary, followed on Saturday 18 March by a Fairtrade coffee morning at Matlock's Imperial Rooms.

The comprehensive programme of activities in Darley Dale includes Faitrade teas and coffee served on the Whitworth Terrace throughout the Fortnight and these local Fairtrade events: